Kenya Senate begins debate on deputy president impeachment

Deputy President of Kenya, Rigathi Gachagua, reacts as he addresses the media during a press conference at his official residence in Nairobi, on October 7, 2024, ahead of the National Assembly vote on his impeachment motion. Agence France-Presse

NAIROBI — Kenya’s Senate on Wednesday began debating the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua after the embattled politician lost yet another court bid to stop the process.

In a historic move last week, the lower house of parliament, the National Assembly, voted overwhelmingly to impeach Gachagua on 11 charges including corruption and abuse of office.

The 59-year-old has denied all the allegations and will continue to serve in his role until the Senate decides whether to approve his removal.

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The upper house began meeting last week, but began a debate on the motion on Wednesday, initially behind closed doors.

A decision is expected on Thursday.

If approved, Gachagua would become the first deputy president to be removed from office in this way since impeachment was introduced in Kenya’s revised 2010 constitution.

Gachagua, a powerful businessman from Kenya’s biggest tribe, the Kikuyu, weathered previous corruption scandals to become deputy leader as President William Ruto’s running mate in a closely fought election in August 2022.

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But in recent weeks, he has complained of being sidelined by the president and had been accused of supporting youth-led anti-government protests that broke out in June.

Political tensions have been running high since the sometimes deadly demonstrations erupted over unpopular tax hikes, exposing divisions in the top echelons of power.

Gachagua, who is accused of threatening a judge among his impeachment charges, had pinned his hopes on the judiciary.

His lawyers have argued that the impeachment process was unfair and fast-tracked, however on Tuesday, a Kenyan High Court ruled against suspending Wednesday’s Senate session.

Another ruling by a separate High Court on Wednesday ruled against suspending the entire process, clearing the way for the Senate debate to proceed.

Ruto has not given any public comment on the impeachment, but Gachagua himself admitted the process could not proceed without the approval of the president.